Thursday, December 30, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “I believe the reason of life is for each of us to simply grow in love. I believe that this growth in love will contribute more than any other force to establish the kingdom of God on earth.” LEO TOLSTOY
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’” LUKE 15:8-9 NAS
Have you ever lost something and looked and looked for it, and could not find it? Maybe you gave up on finding it, and then one day there it is, remember the feeling? I can relate to this parable by Jesus of the woman and the ten coins. On my mothers side of the family I was the first grandson and because of this I was given my grandfathers gold baby ring. Also I got from my great grandfather his pocket watch. When my mother passed away I received these items to keep safe. For thirteen years after my mother’s death my life was self-will run rampant with the use of alcohol and drugs. Somewhere down the line I misplaced my heirlooms. For a year or so after becoming sober I looked for them and could not find them. I just knew that somebody had stolen them and I would never see them again. How let down I was. The only items that were supposed to be passed down to me and I lost them. One day I was looking through an old footlocker that I have and I saw this small plastic box. I opened it and inside there was a rolled up piece of a tee shirt, inside the cloth were my heirlooms. They had been kept safe for many years of my drinking by being hid. I was able to pass them on to my daughter and grandson just as they were passed on to me. I can relate to the parable of the lost coin that Jesus spoke of in more that one way. I was the lost coin at one time in my life, and God sent many to turn on the lights, sweep, look, and search for those that are lost. How wonderful it is to have fellowship with many others who have come together after having been found. We all truly have something in common. I don’t want to go back to my old life. God still does for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
I found it interesting what Lawrence O. Richards Devotional Commentary (page 741) had to say about the lost coin. Share this with me:
“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one” Luke 15:8-10. The story of the 1 lost coin was drawn from first-century Jewish daily life. All felt the impact of Christ’s story of the 10 coins.
These were 10 dowry coins, given the woman when she married. The chances are that she wore them constantly on her headdress. Ten coins were a small dowry, yet were an important symbol to her. They showed that she had worth and value to her father, who had sacrificed to give them to her. And that she came into the marriage as a partner, bringing resources of her own. If she were ever divorced, or widowed, the 10 coins at least were hers, a symbol of her identity as a person. The 10 coins, then were vitally important to her, and the loss of even 1 had far greater significance than the coin’s intrinsic worth might suggest.
Again Jesus emphasized the intensity with which the woman searched, and her joy at finding the coin. Ecstatic with delight at finding the precious object, she hurried and told her friends. Again Jesus was affirming the importance of the outcast. Of little intrinsic worth, the coin was vitally important to the woman who lost it. In the same way, while human beings may discount the worth of the outcast, in god’s sight every individual is of infinite value.
LAWRENCE O. RICHARDS
One coin
Thought for the day: “I believe the reason of life is for each of us to simply grow in love. I believe that this growth in love will contribute more than any other force to establish the kingdom of God on earth.” LEO TOLSTOY
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’” LUKE 15:8-9 NAS
Have you ever lost something and looked and looked for it, and could not find it? Maybe you gave up on finding it, and then one day there it is, remember the feeling? I can relate to this parable by Jesus of the woman and the ten coins. On my mothers side of the family I was the first grandson and because of this I was given my grandfathers gold baby ring. Also I got from my great grandfather his pocket watch. When my mother passed away I received these items to keep safe. For thirteen years after my mother’s death my life was self-will run rampant with the use of alcohol and drugs. Somewhere down the line I misplaced my heirlooms. For a year or so after becoming sober I looked for them and could not find them. I just knew that somebody had stolen them and I would never see them again. How let down I was. The only items that were supposed to be passed down to me and I lost them. One day I was looking through an old footlocker that I have and I saw this small plastic box. I opened it and inside there was a rolled up piece of a tee shirt, inside the cloth were my heirlooms. They had been kept safe for many years of my drinking by being hid. I was able to pass them on to my daughter and grandson just as they were passed on to me. I can relate to the parable of the lost coin that Jesus spoke of in more that one way. I was the lost coin at one time in my life, and God sent many to turn on the lights, sweep, look, and search for those that are lost. How wonderful it is to have fellowship with many others who have come together after having been found. We all truly have something in common. I don’t want to go back to my old life. God still does for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
I found it interesting what Lawrence O. Richards Devotional Commentary (page 741) had to say about the lost coin. Share this with me:
“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one” Luke 15:8-10. The story of the 1 lost coin was drawn from first-century Jewish daily life. All felt the impact of Christ’s story of the 10 coins.
These were 10 dowry coins, given the woman when she married. The chances are that she wore them constantly on her headdress. Ten coins were a small dowry, yet were an important symbol to her. They showed that she had worth and value to her father, who had sacrificed to give them to her. And that she came into the marriage as a partner, bringing resources of her own. If she were ever divorced, or widowed, the 10 coins at least were hers, a symbol of her identity as a person. The 10 coins, then were vitally important to her, and the loss of even 1 had far greater significance than the coin’s intrinsic worth might suggest.
Again Jesus emphasized the intensity with which the woman searched, and her joy at finding the coin. Ecstatic with delight at finding the precious object, she hurried and told her friends. Again Jesus was affirming the importance of the outcast. Of little intrinsic worth, the coin was vitally important to the woman who lost it. In the same way, while human beings may discount the worth of the outcast, in god’s sight every individual is of infinite value.
LAWRENCE O. RICHARDS
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “When God contemplates some great work, He begins it by the hand of some poor, weak, human creature, to whom He afterwards gives aid, so that the enemies who seek to obstruct it are overcome.” MARTIN LUTHER
I am amazed how God uses people that you would least expect to be the ones fit for the job. I find this especially true in the programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The first AA meeting I went to was in the fall of 1974. I lived in Kansas City and a woman that I worked with whose husband was a member of AA suggested to me that I might be interested, and that I probably could relate to the message. My drinking at that time had reached a point where it was not very much fun anymore, so in hope of finding a new way of living I went to my first meeting. The meeting was a rather large meeting located on 63rd Street, and being a newcomer I had to attend a special meeting where I could not take part, but only listen to the speakers. There were two gentlemen who spoke and told of their lives. I will never forget their story. They told of living on the streets, eating out of trashcans, begging and stealing, and spending time in jail and prison. They were true skid row bums that God had empowered and was using to help others not to reach the low point of existence that they had reached. I wish I had received their message that night. I did not. It was only after many DWI’s, jail time, many treatment centers, psych wards, and twenty-five years of on and off (mostly on) drinking that I was able to make it one year without drinking or using drugs. Of all the many experiences I have had over the years, I still remember those two skid row bums who by the grace of a loving God were carrying a message of hope. Today after six years, three months and sixteen days, I find God using my experiences to let others know that they are not alone. I must give back what has been so freely given to me. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
Words of Jesus found in Matthew 10:7-8 NAS, share this with me:
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, Freely you received, freely give.’”
********************
ENJOYING GOD’S PRESENCE
“In your presence is fullness of joy.” PSALM 16:11
Have you ever watched a young couple communicate their love for each other without even saying a word? Maybe you have experienced it yourself. Every glance, every touch, every smile conveys love. People deeply in love find absolute bliss simply being in each other’s presence.
In the same way, simply being in the presence of god brings us great joy. It happens as we listen to Him speak in His Word; it happens as we pray. But it also happens as we simply enjoy His presence, meditating on His goodness, delighting in the beauty of His creation, rejoicing in the life of a new baby or the surprise of an unexpected blessing. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)
Some day we will be in His presence forever; the Bible says, “God Himself will be with them” (Revelation 21:3). What joy that will be! But in the meantime, delight in His presence right now, for He is with you every hour of the day.
BILLY GRAHAM
********************
“Moments of perception can build into a lifetime of spiritual serenity, as I have excellent reason to know. Roots of reality, supplanting the neurotic underbrush, will hold fast despite the high winds of the forces which would destroy us, or which we would use to destroy ourselves.” BILL W. ………………….A letter dated 1949
Skid row bums
Thought for the day: “When God contemplates some great work, He begins it by the hand of some poor, weak, human creature, to whom He afterwards gives aid, so that the enemies who seek to obstruct it are overcome.” MARTIN LUTHER
I am amazed how God uses people that you would least expect to be the ones fit for the job. I find this especially true in the programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The first AA meeting I went to was in the fall of 1974. I lived in Kansas City and a woman that I worked with whose husband was a member of AA suggested to me that I might be interested, and that I probably could relate to the message. My drinking at that time had reached a point where it was not very much fun anymore, so in hope of finding a new way of living I went to my first meeting. The meeting was a rather large meeting located on 63rd Street, and being a newcomer I had to attend a special meeting where I could not take part, but only listen to the speakers. There were two gentlemen who spoke and told of their lives. I will never forget their story. They told of living on the streets, eating out of trashcans, begging and stealing, and spending time in jail and prison. They were true skid row bums that God had empowered and was using to help others not to reach the low point of existence that they had reached. I wish I had received their message that night. I did not. It was only after many DWI’s, jail time, many treatment centers, psych wards, and twenty-five years of on and off (mostly on) drinking that I was able to make it one year without drinking or using drugs. Of all the many experiences I have had over the years, I still remember those two skid row bums who by the grace of a loving God were carrying a message of hope. Today after six years, three months and sixteen days, I find God using my experiences to let others know that they are not alone. I must give back what has been so freely given to me. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
Words of Jesus found in Matthew 10:7-8 NAS, share this with me:
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, Freely you received, freely give.’”
********************
ENJOYING GOD’S PRESENCE
“In your presence is fullness of joy.” PSALM 16:11
Have you ever watched a young couple communicate their love for each other without even saying a word? Maybe you have experienced it yourself. Every glance, every touch, every smile conveys love. People deeply in love find absolute bliss simply being in each other’s presence.
In the same way, simply being in the presence of god brings us great joy. It happens as we listen to Him speak in His Word; it happens as we pray. But it also happens as we simply enjoy His presence, meditating on His goodness, delighting in the beauty of His creation, rejoicing in the life of a new baby or the surprise of an unexpected blessing. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)
Some day we will be in His presence forever; the Bible says, “God Himself will be with them” (Revelation 21:3). What joy that will be! But in the meantime, delight in His presence right now, for He is with you every hour of the day.
BILLY GRAHAM
********************
“Moments of perception can build into a lifetime of spiritual serenity, as I have excellent reason to know. Roots of reality, supplanting the neurotic underbrush, will hold fast despite the high winds of the forces which would destroy us, or which we would use to destroy ourselves.” BILL W. ………………….A letter dated 1949
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “The better friends you are, the straighter you can talk, but while you are only on nodding terms, be slow to scold.” Francis Xavier
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10 NAS
God knows the sins in my life and wants to forgive me for them, but according to John there is a condition attached to forgiveness. This condition is that I confess. This Scripture does not say that I need to make a public confession, but just to confess, so I take it to mean that it is just between God and I. There is another Scripture that say we are to confess our faults to one another, but to me this is different. I might have a fault of having a bad attitude, which does not result in sin, and this probably needs to be confessed to those affected by my behavior, and in the process, I become more aware of my own shortcomings, and I am able to begin the work of improving my attitude. John uses two words for sin, one singular, and the other plural or sins. I feel that when John says “If we say that we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves,” this is a reference to the indwelling principle of sin. When he uses the word “sins” it is in reference to the acts of sin. This brings me to the condition that brings about relief from the burden. It is to confess. What exactly does this mean to confess? Webster says it means “to admit, to declare one’s faith in, to be evidence of, to tell one’s sins to God. I like “to declare one’s faith in.” I have faith that there is sin in my life, and I have faith that God can remove it from me. I believe that the spiritual principle of admitting or confessing brings about relief. I like what the Ryrie Study Bible says about this verse, share this with me. “confess means ‘to say the same thing about sin that God says.’ Forgiveness and fellowship within the family of God is restored when we confess.” This confession is where my works begins, and this is where my joy begins also. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………………..JRE
********************
Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000…that’s genius.
Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth a million….that is wealth.
A painter can take a 50-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it and make it worth $10,000…..that’s art.
But….god can take a worthless sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity….that’s salvation.
THE COMPASS
********************
“Our newly found faith serves as a firm foundation for courage in the future.” Narcotics Anonymous basic text page 93
Confess......to declare one's faith in
Thought for the day: “The better friends you are, the straighter you can talk, but while you are only on nodding terms, be slow to scold.” Francis Xavier
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10 NAS
God knows the sins in my life and wants to forgive me for them, but according to John there is a condition attached to forgiveness. This condition is that I confess. This Scripture does not say that I need to make a public confession, but just to confess, so I take it to mean that it is just between God and I. There is another Scripture that say we are to confess our faults to one another, but to me this is different. I might have a fault of having a bad attitude, which does not result in sin, and this probably needs to be confessed to those affected by my behavior, and in the process, I become more aware of my own shortcomings, and I am able to begin the work of improving my attitude. John uses two words for sin, one singular, and the other plural or sins. I feel that when John says “If we say that we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves,” this is a reference to the indwelling principle of sin. When he uses the word “sins” it is in reference to the acts of sin. This brings me to the condition that brings about relief from the burden. It is to confess. What exactly does this mean to confess? Webster says it means “to admit, to declare one’s faith in, to be evidence of, to tell one’s sins to God. I like “to declare one’s faith in.” I have faith that there is sin in my life, and I have faith that God can remove it from me. I believe that the spiritual principle of admitting or confessing brings about relief. I like what the Ryrie Study Bible says about this verse, share this with me. “confess means ‘to say the same thing about sin that God says.’ Forgiveness and fellowship within the family of God is restored when we confess.” This confession is where my works begins, and this is where my joy begins also. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………………..JRE
********************
Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000…that’s genius.
Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth a million….that is wealth.
A painter can take a 50-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it and make it worth $10,000…..that’s art.
But….god can take a worthless sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity….that’s salvation.
THE COMPASS
********************
“Our newly found faith serves as a firm foundation for courage in the future.” Narcotics Anonymous basic text page 93
Monday, December 27, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “There two freedoms: the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.” Charles Kingsley
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling………Selah” PSALM 46:1-3 NKJV
Very seldom do I open the Bible randomly and read Scripture. Most of my reading is a daily study reading from the old and new testaments. This morning after finishing my study in Numbers and Luke, I took a Bible and just let it open where it wanted, and read. To my surprise the Scripture I read related to the huge earthquake that just happened a couple of days ago. What a tragedy, over twenty thousand people killed in one day. For me it puts all the different little wars going on all over the world in a different perspective. I realize that even one life lost does not go unnoticed with God, and I have the question in my mind, why? Of course there is no real answer that I have, but I continue to stand and get some ease in reading and knowing the first verse of the Psalm, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” When I have no place to go, when I have no place to run, when there is no way out; God, will make a way for me to come into His presence and find refuge and strength. Not only will my soul find protection, but I will also gain strength to carry on and reach out to others with the same “trouble.” When many people with the same “trouble” come together in a group with God as their refuge and support, we find that we are not alone, and have strength in numbers as well as spiritual strength. I am reminded of what the word “Selah” means when found in a Psalm. It means to pause and take a little time to reflect on what has just been read or heard……..though the earths waters roar and be troubled, God is our refuge and strength. Thanks for letting me share today, God continues to do for me what I could not do for myself……………JRE
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge…..Selah.”
PSALM 46:10-11 NKJV
********************
NO PLACE FOR PRIDE
“It is better to be humble in spirit with the lovely than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
PROVERBS 16:19
Someone who is truly unselfish is generous with his or her time and possessions, energy and money. As that works its way out, it is demonstrated in various ways, such as thoughtfulness and gentleness, an unpretentious spirit, and servant-hearted leadership.
When a husband is unselfish, he subjugated his own wants and desires to the needs of his wife and family.
When a mother is unselfish, she isn’t irked by having to give up her agenda or plans for the sake of her children.
When an athlete is unselfish, it is the team that matters, not winning the top honors personally.
When a Christian is unselfish, others mean more than self. Pride is given no place to operate CHARLES SWINDOLL………..Laugh Again
Selah
Thought for the day: “There two freedoms: the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.” Charles Kingsley
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling………Selah” PSALM 46:1-3 NKJV
Very seldom do I open the Bible randomly and read Scripture. Most of my reading is a daily study reading from the old and new testaments. This morning after finishing my study in Numbers and Luke, I took a Bible and just let it open where it wanted, and read. To my surprise the Scripture I read related to the huge earthquake that just happened a couple of days ago. What a tragedy, over twenty thousand people killed in one day. For me it puts all the different little wars going on all over the world in a different perspective. I realize that even one life lost does not go unnoticed with God, and I have the question in my mind, why? Of course there is no real answer that I have, but I continue to stand and get some ease in reading and knowing the first verse of the Psalm, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” When I have no place to go, when I have no place to run, when there is no way out; God, will make a way for me to come into His presence and find refuge and strength. Not only will my soul find protection, but I will also gain strength to carry on and reach out to others with the same “trouble.” When many people with the same “trouble” come together in a group with God as their refuge and support, we find that we are not alone, and have strength in numbers as well as spiritual strength. I am reminded of what the word “Selah” means when found in a Psalm. It means to pause and take a little time to reflect on what has just been read or heard……..though the earths waters roar and be troubled, God is our refuge and strength. Thanks for letting me share today, God continues to do for me what I could not do for myself……………JRE
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge…..Selah.”
PSALM 46:10-11 NKJV
********************
NO PLACE FOR PRIDE
“It is better to be humble in spirit with the lovely than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
PROVERBS 16:19
Someone who is truly unselfish is generous with his or her time and possessions, energy and money. As that works its way out, it is demonstrated in various ways, such as thoughtfulness and gentleness, an unpretentious spirit, and servant-hearted leadership.
When a husband is unselfish, he subjugated his own wants and desires to the needs of his wife and family.
When a mother is unselfish, she isn’t irked by having to give up her agenda or plans for the sake of her children.
When an athlete is unselfish, it is the team that matters, not winning the top honors personally.
When a Christian is unselfish, others mean more than self. Pride is given no place to operate CHARLES SWINDOLL………..Laugh Again
Friday, December 24, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day:
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying tone another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
LUKE 2:13-15 NAS
Your gift to me this Christmas has been to allow this small page to be sent. Sharing my devotional time and the many responses I have received has encouraged my walk with the Lord and my service to others. May I always have gratitude for those who have found the grace to allow me to serve, thank you. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……………JRE
GOD BECAME A MAN
“He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.” PHILIPPIANS 2:7
It happened in a most remarkable moment….a moment like no other……
God became a man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.
The omnipotent, in one instant, became flesh and blood. The one who was larger than the universe became a microscopic embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.
God had come near.
MAX LUCADO…………..God Came Near
God Came Near
Thought for the day:
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying tone another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
LUKE 2:13-15 NAS
Your gift to me this Christmas has been to allow this small page to be sent. Sharing my devotional time and the many responses I have received has encouraged my walk with the Lord and my service to others. May I always have gratitude for those who have found the grace to allow me to serve, thank you. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……………JRE
GOD BECAME A MAN
“He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.” PHILIPPIANS 2:7
It happened in a most remarkable moment….a moment like no other……
God became a man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.
The omnipotent, in one instant, became flesh and blood. The one who was larger than the universe became a microscopic embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.
God had come near.
MAX LUCADO…………..God Came Near
Thursday, December 23, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “It is not a question of how much we know, how clever we are, nor even how good; it all depends upon the heart’s love. External actions are the results of love, the fruit it bears; but the source, the root, is in the deep of the heart.”
Francois Fenelon
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because
‘All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass, the grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.’”
1 Peter 1:22-25 NKJV
I have a new life and it’s based on love. Love is one of those words that can be a verb, or a predicate noun, or a noun. Love can be the subject of my new life or it can be the action I take toward God and other people. My, how my concept of what love is has changed over the past few years. As a young man my idea of love was came from the unconditional love given by my mother and grandmothers. As a teenager love was more of how I felt toward the opposite sex. As a young adult I found love to be a two-way street and saw it as being romantic and involving things such as candlelight and soft music. As a middle-aged adult and because of many bad choices in my life involving drugs and alcohol love started to leave my life, not necessarily because I wasn’t receiving it, but because I did not act upon love and give back what had been given me. Plus the fact that because my concept of love changed so much over the years that I had no real idea of what love truly was. I was broken hearted and love sick, all because of choices I had made. When the bank account of love in my heart became empty of my false concept of what love was, I found deposits being made from outside sources. The first deposit came when God accepted me just as I was, and forgave me for a life of self-centered egotism. Then I found regular deposits being brought to my account by family and those who understood the principle of giving to receive. Today by the grace of a loving God, my account always has plenty to give and I must continue to give or I loose my source of deposits. We all have a bank account of love and for me life is better when I give of the deposits made in my life. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……..JRE
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J.B. Phillips helps us understand the nature of our new life in his paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:23: “God has given us His own indestructible heredity.” Our new life is God’s own life, fused permanently to our human personality. All flesh is like grass, perishable. Our new life from god is permanent, a source of endless existence and spiritual vitality.
You and I can’t have God’s life within us and be unchanged. Peter spoke of the difference as a purifying one. In obeying the truth (a phrase that means, in responding with faith to the Gospel message) we have “purified” ourselves. The old, selfish motives and desires that once ruled us no longer are our master. They have been replaced by that quality which most clearly revealed the heart of God Himself: love. Now being born again “so that you have a sincere love for your brothers” we go on to “love one another deeply, from the heart.”
Lawrence O. Richards……….Devotional Commentary, page 1109
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“There is an All Powerful, Guiding, Creative Intelligence.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 49
Bank account of love
Thought for the day: “It is not a question of how much we know, how clever we are, nor even how good; it all depends upon the heart’s love. External actions are the results of love, the fruit it bears; but the source, the root, is in the deep of the heart.”
Francois Fenelon
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because
‘All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass, the grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.’”
1 Peter 1:22-25 NKJV
I have a new life and it’s based on love. Love is one of those words that can be a verb, or a predicate noun, or a noun. Love can be the subject of my new life or it can be the action I take toward God and other people. My, how my concept of what love is has changed over the past few years. As a young man my idea of love was came from the unconditional love given by my mother and grandmothers. As a teenager love was more of how I felt toward the opposite sex. As a young adult I found love to be a two-way street and saw it as being romantic and involving things such as candlelight and soft music. As a middle-aged adult and because of many bad choices in my life involving drugs and alcohol love started to leave my life, not necessarily because I wasn’t receiving it, but because I did not act upon love and give back what had been given me. Plus the fact that because my concept of love changed so much over the years that I had no real idea of what love truly was. I was broken hearted and love sick, all because of choices I had made. When the bank account of love in my heart became empty of my false concept of what love was, I found deposits being made from outside sources. The first deposit came when God accepted me just as I was, and forgave me for a life of self-centered egotism. Then I found regular deposits being brought to my account by family and those who understood the principle of giving to receive. Today by the grace of a loving God, my account always has plenty to give and I must continue to give or I loose my source of deposits. We all have a bank account of love and for me life is better when I give of the deposits made in my life. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……..JRE
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J.B. Phillips helps us understand the nature of our new life in his paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:23: “God has given us His own indestructible heredity.” Our new life is God’s own life, fused permanently to our human personality. All flesh is like grass, perishable. Our new life from god is permanent, a source of endless existence and spiritual vitality.
You and I can’t have God’s life within us and be unchanged. Peter spoke of the difference as a purifying one. In obeying the truth (a phrase that means, in responding with faith to the Gospel message) we have “purified” ourselves. The old, selfish motives and desires that once ruled us no longer are our master. They have been replaced by that quality which most clearly revealed the heart of God Himself: love. Now being born again “so that you have a sincere love for your brothers” we go on to “love one another deeply, from the heart.”
Lawrence O. Richards……….Devotional Commentary, page 1109
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“There is an All Powerful, Guiding, Creative Intelligence.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 49
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Tell me how much you know of the sufferings of your fellowmen and I will tell you how much you have loved them.” HELMUT THIELICKE
Luke 10:38-42 NAS …….share this with me.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to his word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord do You not care that my sister had left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Jesus told Martha that, “only one thing is necessary.” What is that one thing? Today I have arrived to a different perspective on what Jesus meant by “one thing.” Before when I read this verse of Scripture I thought that the “one thing” was what Mary had chosen, and that was to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His word. Jesus said it is the “good part,” but He did not say that it was the “one thing necessary.” If Mary, chose the “good part” than there must be another part. That other part in this situation must be the service. It’s fine and wonderful to have the opportunity to sit and listen to great sermons, but someone has to turn the lights on, sweep the floors, clean the bathrooms, and prepare the food for dinners. So back to my question of what is the “only” one thing that is necessary? Could it be that Jesus was saying to Martha that she only needed to prepare “one thing” to eat? No doubt there were several people traveling with Jesus, and to just drop in on someone required some work on behalf of the hosts. Martha was distracted with “all her preparations,” and maybe Jesus was telling her that it would be all right to just keep it simple, she did not need to prepare many different plates for all the people, just one would be fine. Maybe if we keep it simple we could get in on more of the “good part” that Jesus spoke of. The good part in my life is, knowing Jesus, the finished work of the Cross, and the great love and grace that the Father has bestowed upon each of us. I am grateful, and may I learn to keep it simple and have the “good part” also. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
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LOVE FOR GOD’S FAMILY
Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.
Ephesians 5:2
The passion for fullness is a passion fired by love, for love of Christ, love for God’s Word, and a loving will to learn greater love for all the members of the vast family of our Father. Jesus himself established the criteria for our mutual acceptance: “He who is not against us is on our side” (Mark 9:40).
He is the Church because He is the Savior. Ours is to learn to love one another, because we have been “so loved.” JACK HAYFORD………….A Passion for Fullness
"only one thing is necessary"
Thought for the day: “Tell me how much you know of the sufferings of your fellowmen and I will tell you how much you have loved them.” HELMUT THIELICKE
Luke 10:38-42 NAS …….share this with me.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to his word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord do You not care that my sister had left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Jesus told Martha that, “only one thing is necessary.” What is that one thing? Today I have arrived to a different perspective on what Jesus meant by “one thing.” Before when I read this verse of Scripture I thought that the “one thing” was what Mary had chosen, and that was to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His word. Jesus said it is the “good part,” but He did not say that it was the “one thing necessary.” If Mary, chose the “good part” than there must be another part. That other part in this situation must be the service. It’s fine and wonderful to have the opportunity to sit and listen to great sermons, but someone has to turn the lights on, sweep the floors, clean the bathrooms, and prepare the food for dinners. So back to my question of what is the “only” one thing that is necessary? Could it be that Jesus was saying to Martha that she only needed to prepare “one thing” to eat? No doubt there were several people traveling with Jesus, and to just drop in on someone required some work on behalf of the hosts. Martha was distracted with “all her preparations,” and maybe Jesus was telling her that it would be all right to just keep it simple, she did not need to prepare many different plates for all the people, just one would be fine. Maybe if we keep it simple we could get in on more of the “good part” that Jesus spoke of. The good part in my life is, knowing Jesus, the finished work of the Cross, and the great love and grace that the Father has bestowed upon each of us. I am grateful, and may I learn to keep it simple and have the “good part” also. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
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LOVE FOR GOD’S FAMILY
Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.
Ephesians 5:2
The passion for fullness is a passion fired by love, for love of Christ, love for God’s Word, and a loving will to learn greater love for all the members of the vast family of our Father. Jesus himself established the criteria for our mutual acceptance: “He who is not against us is on our side” (Mark 9:40).
He is the Church because He is the Savior. Ours is to learn to love one another, because we have been “so loved.” JACK HAYFORD………….A Passion for Fullness
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Keep a fair-sized cemetery in your backyard, in which to bury the faults of your friends.” Henry Ward Beecher
Words of Jesus found in Luke 9:23 NAS, share this with me:
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must first deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
This Scripture verse has often made me think of the burden that Jesus had as He made the long walk to the top of the hill for His execution. It has made me think of how I need to die internally to my self-centered will. The idea of denying myself and caring my cross of execution has never really had a enjoyable feeling about it. But I do also at the same time realize that only after I give up and surrender do I become set free. My sister sent me a Christmas present, it is a Devotional Commentary, and this morning reading the comments on this verse of Scripture really opened my eyes to what it means to take up my cross daily. It’s not so much about the burden that we have to bare; it’s about doing the will of God. How wonderful this has been in my life to have the opportunity to give of myself, expecting nothing in return, and doing it because I knew it was right. This kind of denying of myself I learned from the study of the Word of God and from others who have demonstrated this great love towards myself. I am still learning how to do this giving of myself that is not of myself. May I never stop learning how to use the gift of love given to me by God, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself. Thanks for letting me share……………..JRE
“The Christian’s cross isn’t suffering, either. It is simply that, as Calvary’s cross was God’s will for Jesus, so our ‘cross’ is whatever God’s will for us is each day. That will may involve pain, but often involves joy. There may be tears, but our cross also carries shouts and singing. The one thing that we can be sure of, however, is that our cross calls us to daily choose God’s will in preference to our own, and thus demands the most significant kind of self-denial.”
Lawrence O. Richards………Devotional Commentary, page 727
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“We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 67
Giving of self that is not of self
Thought for the day: “Keep a fair-sized cemetery in your backyard, in which to bury the faults of your friends.” Henry Ward Beecher
Words of Jesus found in Luke 9:23 NAS, share this with me:
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must first deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
This Scripture verse has often made me think of the burden that Jesus had as He made the long walk to the top of the hill for His execution. It has made me think of how I need to die internally to my self-centered will. The idea of denying myself and caring my cross of execution has never really had a enjoyable feeling about it. But I do also at the same time realize that only after I give up and surrender do I become set free. My sister sent me a Christmas present, it is a Devotional Commentary, and this morning reading the comments on this verse of Scripture really opened my eyes to what it means to take up my cross daily. It’s not so much about the burden that we have to bare; it’s about doing the will of God. How wonderful this has been in my life to have the opportunity to give of myself, expecting nothing in return, and doing it because I knew it was right. This kind of denying of myself I learned from the study of the Word of God and from others who have demonstrated this great love towards myself. I am still learning how to do this giving of myself that is not of myself. May I never stop learning how to use the gift of love given to me by God, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself. Thanks for letting me share……………..JRE
“The Christian’s cross isn’t suffering, either. It is simply that, as Calvary’s cross was God’s will for Jesus, so our ‘cross’ is whatever God’s will for us is each day. That will may involve pain, but often involves joy. There may be tears, but our cross also carries shouts and singing. The one thing that we can be sure of, however, is that our cross calls us to daily choose God’s will in preference to our own, and thus demands the most significant kind of self-denial.”
Lawrence O. Richards………Devotional Commentary, page 727
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“We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 67
Monday, December 20, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “ When we try to camouflage our flaws by blaming others, they only get bigger.” …………anonymous
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
MATTHEW 19:24-26 NAS
Jesus uses a Jewish proverb in describing the impossibility of man entering the kingdom of God on his own. I like what the Dake Bible has to say about this, share this with me:
“A Jewish proverb so common in Jewish writings to express great difficulty or impossibility. In the large gates in the city walls were small narrow ones, which a camel might enter kneeling down if he were unloaded.”
The camel could go through the “eye of a needle” if he was unloaded and kneeling. In my daily walk with the Lord and my daily life style of not drinking and using, I can relate to the camel. As a matter of fact, we in AA use the camel as a reminder of the fact that all we have to do is not drink today. Just as the camel can go one day, two days, three, four and on without taking a drink, we in AA must learn to not take that first drink which leads to one day, two days, three, four and on and on. Also I draw from the camel in the fact that to “enter in” I must first unload. I must take my burden that has been brought about by my self-centered thinking and lay it at the foot of the cross. This heavy burden consists of my desires to want to “get high” and feel physical pleasures just for my self, jealousy and envy as a result of not getting what I want, and resentment and anger as a further result of not having my way. As my load got too heavy, the only way out from under it was to surrender to it. Just like the camel, the act of surrender brought me to my knees, and having been unloaded and on my knees I am able to “enter in.” As each day goes by I find myself trying to heap up another load and carry it all by myself. I am learning that in my quiet time each morning I must unload, get on my knees and “enter in” to the presence of God Almighty. God never gives me more than I can carry in one day. It is only when I carry yesterdays, last weeks, or last years load that I become burdened down. I am grateful for the example of the camel that is teaching me to live one day at a time. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………….JRE
“Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
MATTHEW 11:28-30 NAS
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“We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 130
Not loaded and on our knees
Thought for the day: “ When we try to camouflage our flaws by blaming others, they only get bigger.” …………anonymous
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
MATTHEW 19:24-26 NAS
Jesus uses a Jewish proverb in describing the impossibility of man entering the kingdom of God on his own. I like what the Dake Bible has to say about this, share this with me:
“A Jewish proverb so common in Jewish writings to express great difficulty or impossibility. In the large gates in the city walls were small narrow ones, which a camel might enter kneeling down if he were unloaded.”
The camel could go through the “eye of a needle” if he was unloaded and kneeling. In my daily walk with the Lord and my daily life style of not drinking and using, I can relate to the camel. As a matter of fact, we in AA use the camel as a reminder of the fact that all we have to do is not drink today. Just as the camel can go one day, two days, three, four and on without taking a drink, we in AA must learn to not take that first drink which leads to one day, two days, three, four and on and on. Also I draw from the camel in the fact that to “enter in” I must first unload. I must take my burden that has been brought about by my self-centered thinking and lay it at the foot of the cross. This heavy burden consists of my desires to want to “get high” and feel physical pleasures just for my self, jealousy and envy as a result of not getting what I want, and resentment and anger as a further result of not having my way. As my load got too heavy, the only way out from under it was to surrender to it. Just like the camel, the act of surrender brought me to my knees, and having been unloaded and on my knees I am able to “enter in.” As each day goes by I find myself trying to heap up another load and carry it all by myself. I am learning that in my quiet time each morning I must unload, get on my knees and “enter in” to the presence of God Almighty. God never gives me more than I can carry in one day. It is only when I carry yesterdays, last weeks, or last years load that I become burdened down. I am grateful for the example of the camel that is teaching me to live one day at a time. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………….JRE
“Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
MATTHEW 11:28-30 NAS
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“We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 130
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Lord, grant that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to love, than to be loved.” ST. FRANCIS ASSISI
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SLIP AWAY TO THE WILDERNESS AND PRAY
LUKE 5:12-16 NAS
While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.”
And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear him and to be healed of their sickness.
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
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Often we think of the wilderness as a place we don’t want to be. A place where we are alone and without help, a place, where we are not familiar with our surroundings. All of these are true, and we also use the wilderness as a place where we go to get away from the pressure of the world pushing in. How wonderful it is to go camping and to set up on a creek, or a river bank, or in the mountains, and just enjoy the great outdoors. I have found in my experience that it doesn’t take to long, one or two days, to be ready to get back home to the comforts of a hot shower, soft bed, and different food. A little bit of wilderness goes a long way. And this is true in the spiritual sense where we find that “a little bit of wilderness goes a long way.” Scripture says, “Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” The dilemma I have with the wilderness is that I can’t slip away very often, so I have to bring the wilderness to me. I have discovered that by having plants in the house, and setting up bird and squirrel feeders outside my windows, I can bring the wilderness to me. What a comfort it is to spend time in prayer and meditation, in the presence of God’s creation. When I see all the different colors in the various birds, all their different mannerisms, the different weather conditions and the changing colors of the seasons, I bring the wilderness to me. It is truly a place in my heart and mind, not so much a place “out there.” I think that Jesus was letting us know that when the world pushes in we too need to “often slip away” to a place where we can be alone with the Father. “A little bit of wilderness goes a long way.” Thanks for letting me share, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………….JRE
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“Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, either of width or height. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially and individual adventure, something which each one of us, works out in his own way. But its objective is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love.” BILL W…………AA 12X12 page 101
Slip away to the wilderness
Thought for the day: “Lord, grant that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to love, than to be loved.” ST. FRANCIS ASSISI
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SLIP AWAY TO THE WILDERNESS AND PRAY
LUKE 5:12-16 NAS
While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.”
And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear him and to be healed of their sickness.
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
********************
Often we think of the wilderness as a place we don’t want to be. A place where we are alone and without help, a place, where we are not familiar with our surroundings. All of these are true, and we also use the wilderness as a place where we go to get away from the pressure of the world pushing in. How wonderful it is to go camping and to set up on a creek, or a river bank, or in the mountains, and just enjoy the great outdoors. I have found in my experience that it doesn’t take to long, one or two days, to be ready to get back home to the comforts of a hot shower, soft bed, and different food. A little bit of wilderness goes a long way. And this is true in the spiritual sense where we find that “a little bit of wilderness goes a long way.” Scripture says, “Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” The dilemma I have with the wilderness is that I can’t slip away very often, so I have to bring the wilderness to me. I have discovered that by having plants in the house, and setting up bird and squirrel feeders outside my windows, I can bring the wilderness to me. What a comfort it is to spend time in prayer and meditation, in the presence of God’s creation. When I see all the different colors in the various birds, all their different mannerisms, the different weather conditions and the changing colors of the seasons, I bring the wilderness to me. It is truly a place in my heart and mind, not so much a place “out there.” I think that Jesus was letting us know that when the world pushes in we too need to “often slip away” to a place where we can be alone with the Father. “A little bit of wilderness goes a long way.” Thanks for letting me share, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………….JRE
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“Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, either of width or height. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially and individual adventure, something which each one of us, works out in his own way. But its objective is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love.” BILL W…………AA 12X12 page 101
Monday, December 13, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to Him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.”
George Macdonald
The apostle Paul’s shipwreck as recorded by Luke who was with him, share this with me:
ACTS 27:29-44 NKJV
Then fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and have eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and took food themselves.
And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow struck fast and remained immoveable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
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Paul was a prisoner of the Roman Government and was being taken from Jerusalem to Rome to stand trial. They ended up shipwrecked on the island of Malta, and were forced to stay the winter before they could leave. I would guess that there were only a few believers on the ship when they started out. By the time spring had come many more probably had a change of heart through their experiences and the faith of Paul and Luke in the only true God. These prisoners, soldiers, and sailors had seen Paul stand firm in the face of storms, day after day without wind, and the shipwreck. They saw Paul apply his faith in what he knew, and as a result Paul also encouraged those with him. How true this has been in my life, that when the storms blew me into the rocks, they turned out to be the safe haven that I needed all along. I am so grateful that in my distress and at the worst times of my life, God has had someone come along with faith to help me see the way. Through AA and NA meetings I have the opportunity to go out on the rocks of despair and encourage others with hope, faith, and the great love that God has shown us through Jesus Christ. This is the same love that Paul and Luke were grounded in. God continues to do for me what I could not do for myself………………JRE
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“The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous.” AA Big Book page 25
On the rocks
Thought for the day: “How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to Him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.”
George Macdonald
The apostle Paul’s shipwreck as recorded by Luke who was with him, share this with me:
ACTS 27:29-44 NKJV
Then fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and have eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and took food themselves.
And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow struck fast and remained immoveable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
********************
Paul was a prisoner of the Roman Government and was being taken from Jerusalem to Rome to stand trial. They ended up shipwrecked on the island of Malta, and were forced to stay the winter before they could leave. I would guess that there were only a few believers on the ship when they started out. By the time spring had come many more probably had a change of heart through their experiences and the faith of Paul and Luke in the only true God. These prisoners, soldiers, and sailors had seen Paul stand firm in the face of storms, day after day without wind, and the shipwreck. They saw Paul apply his faith in what he knew, and as a result Paul also encouraged those with him. How true this has been in my life, that when the storms blew me into the rocks, they turned out to be the safe haven that I needed all along. I am so grateful that in my distress and at the worst times of my life, God has had someone come along with faith to help me see the way. Through AA and NA meetings I have the opportunity to go out on the rocks of despair and encourage others with hope, faith, and the great love that God has shown us through Jesus Christ. This is the same love that Paul and Luke were grounded in. God continues to do for me what I could not do for myself………………JRE
********************
“The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous.” AA Big Book page 25
Thursday, December 09, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” Author unknown
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
Psalm 84:10 NIV
I would rather sleep on the doormat of my church than go back to the comfortable bed of my old life. My old life had some comforts to it, but they could all be found in the physical and material qualities of life. While everything looked nice as it was viewed in the dim soft light, my heart was cold and without light or warmth. My desires had reached a point where all I wanted was to take care of my own feelings and cravings. As a result of this darkness in my spiritual heart, I would sit alone many evenings with all the lights low and drink my booze and smoke my dope, and tell myself how comfortable I was. All the while the pain on the inside continued to grow with every drink. I knew all the time that there was a better way to live, but it was unfamiliar to me and I had some doubts as to whether I could live this way. It involved a whole different type of people, and a different way of looking at life. It seemed to me that it would be too hard to teach this old dog, new tricks. How could I change over thirty years of living one lifestyle, to a totally new way of thinking and living? God seemed to be a thousand miles from me, and I knew that my change needed to be spiritual in essence. So my dilemma was whether I was willing to travel the thousand miles. When I finally surrendered in the dim darkness of my life and took the first step, God drew near, and helped with the second step, the third step and on and on. Today we walk together daily through the Word and any path that life leads me upon. I don’t have to sit in the darkness of my existence anymore, I enjoy being in the Light and in the fellowship of others who are in the light. Many I fellowship with have had similar experiences. I am not unique or different. I can truly say from my heart that “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:8
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POWER FOR LIFE
“The Spirit of truth…….dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:7
Walter Knight tells of the story about a little boy who had recently received Christ. “Daddy, how can I believe in the Holy Spirit when I have never seen Him?” Asked Jim.
“I’ll show you how,” said his father, who was an electrician. The father took Jim to a power plant and showed him the generators. “This is where the power comes from to heat our stove and to give us light. We can’t see the power, but it’s in that machine and in the power lines,” said the father.
“Now, son, let me ask you a question: Do your believe in electricity?” he asked. “Yes, I believe in electricity,” said Jim.
“Of course, you do,” said his father, “but you don’t believe it because you see it. You believe in it because you see what it can do. Likewise, you can believe in the Holy Spirit not because you see Him, but because you see what He does in people’s lives when they are surrendered to Christ and posses His power.”
BILLY GRAHAM
********************
“The Power that brought us to this program is till with us and will continue to guide us if we allow it.” Narcotics Anonymous basic text page 26
Old dog, new tricks
Thought for the day: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” Author unknown
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
Psalm 84:10 NIV
I would rather sleep on the doormat of my church than go back to the comfortable bed of my old life. My old life had some comforts to it, but they could all be found in the physical and material qualities of life. While everything looked nice as it was viewed in the dim soft light, my heart was cold and without light or warmth. My desires had reached a point where all I wanted was to take care of my own feelings and cravings. As a result of this darkness in my spiritual heart, I would sit alone many evenings with all the lights low and drink my booze and smoke my dope, and tell myself how comfortable I was. All the while the pain on the inside continued to grow with every drink. I knew all the time that there was a better way to live, but it was unfamiliar to me and I had some doubts as to whether I could live this way. It involved a whole different type of people, and a different way of looking at life. It seemed to me that it would be too hard to teach this old dog, new tricks. How could I change over thirty years of living one lifestyle, to a totally new way of thinking and living? God seemed to be a thousand miles from me, and I knew that my change needed to be spiritual in essence. So my dilemma was whether I was willing to travel the thousand miles. When I finally surrendered in the dim darkness of my life and took the first step, God drew near, and helped with the second step, the third step and on and on. Today we walk together daily through the Word and any path that life leads me upon. I don’t have to sit in the darkness of my existence anymore, I enjoy being in the Light and in the fellowship of others who are in the light. Many I fellowship with have had similar experiences. I am not unique or different. I can truly say from my heart that “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:8
********************
POWER FOR LIFE
“The Spirit of truth…….dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:7
Walter Knight tells of the story about a little boy who had recently received Christ. “Daddy, how can I believe in the Holy Spirit when I have never seen Him?” Asked Jim.
“I’ll show you how,” said his father, who was an electrician. The father took Jim to a power plant and showed him the generators. “This is where the power comes from to heat our stove and to give us light. We can’t see the power, but it’s in that machine and in the power lines,” said the father.
“Now, son, let me ask you a question: Do your believe in electricity?” he asked. “Yes, I believe in electricity,” said Jim.
“Of course, you do,” said his father, “but you don’t believe it because you see it. You believe in it because you see what it can do. Likewise, you can believe in the Holy Spirit not because you see Him, but because you see what He does in people’s lives when they are surrendered to Christ and posses His power.”
BILLY GRAHAM
********************
“The Power that brought us to this program is till with us and will continue to guide us if we allow it.” Narcotics Anonymous basic text page 26
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Prayer…Don’t give God instructions, just report for duty.”
Author unknown
AA Step Eleven: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
I love God, I love Jesus, I love the Holy Spirit. I also love the fellowship I have with other believers. I love the programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, and I also love the fellowship I find there. But in all the steps and principles I have taken and learned in AA, this Step Eleven is most profound. When I first got sober and started attending meetings I was told that I needed some contact with God in order to stay sober. I remember some of my first prayers as being very simple and just asking for God to “help me.” Later with a few months sober I began to pray for “things.” God, “give me this,” or God, “change this or that.” These prayers work and do change us on the inside more than the circumstances on the outside. But after I had more time in recovery and had worked more of the steps I came to the Eleventh Step, which set me straight on this prayer business. It’s not about me and “things.” Don’t get me wrong, it is all right to pray for yourself, but I have found that a deeper prayer of “praying only for knowledge of His will for me and the power to carry that out” also includes me and “the things” that I need. It lets God determine the priority of what is needed. I don’t want to be misunderstood and have you think that I am some great prayer warrior, I still sit down to prayer at times and find myself whining and complaining to God, but I am learning. His will for us, and the power to carry that out is all we really need. Bill W. really had a conscious contact with God when he was given this Step. Thanks for letting me share, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
Jesus teaching His disciples about prayer, share this with me:
“So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 NAS
“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Mark 11:24 NAS
********************
Breathe in the inspiration of goodness and truth. It is the spirit of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love. It is readily available if we are willing to accept it wholeheartedly. God has given us two things, His Spirit and the power of choice, to accept or not, as we will. We have the gift of free will. When we choose the path of selfishness and greed and pride, we are refusing to accept God’s Spirit. When we choose the path of love and service, we accept God’s Spirit and it flows into us and makes all things new. HAZELDEN………….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
Sought
Thought for the day: “Prayer…Don’t give God instructions, just report for duty.”
Author unknown
AA Step Eleven: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
I love God, I love Jesus, I love the Holy Spirit. I also love the fellowship I have with other believers. I love the programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, and I also love the fellowship I find there. But in all the steps and principles I have taken and learned in AA, this Step Eleven is most profound. When I first got sober and started attending meetings I was told that I needed some contact with God in order to stay sober. I remember some of my first prayers as being very simple and just asking for God to “help me.” Later with a few months sober I began to pray for “things.” God, “give me this,” or God, “change this or that.” These prayers work and do change us on the inside more than the circumstances on the outside. But after I had more time in recovery and had worked more of the steps I came to the Eleventh Step, which set me straight on this prayer business. It’s not about me and “things.” Don’t get me wrong, it is all right to pray for yourself, but I have found that a deeper prayer of “praying only for knowledge of His will for me and the power to carry that out” also includes me and “the things” that I need. It lets God determine the priority of what is needed. I don’t want to be misunderstood and have you think that I am some great prayer warrior, I still sit down to prayer at times and find myself whining and complaining to God, but I am learning. His will for us, and the power to carry that out is all we really need. Bill W. really had a conscious contact with God when he was given this Step. Thanks for letting me share, God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
Jesus teaching His disciples about prayer, share this with me:
“So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 NAS
“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Mark 11:24 NAS
********************
Breathe in the inspiration of goodness and truth. It is the spirit of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love. It is readily available if we are willing to accept it wholeheartedly. God has given us two things, His Spirit and the power of choice, to accept or not, as we will. We have the gift of free will. When we choose the path of selfishness and greed and pride, we are refusing to accept God’s Spirit. When we choose the path of love and service, we accept God’s Spirit and it flows into us and makes all things new. HAZELDEN………….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Forgiveness……..The most creative power given to the human spirit is the power to heal the wounds of a past it cannot change.” author unknown
This statement is just totally awesome. This morning as I ponder what it says, I am taken back by the power we have as creative individuals to heal ourselves. To be able to “heal the wounds of a past we cannot change.” I can’t change the past, but I can sure change the way I feel about it, and how it affects my life today. That, is creative power! We all have things that have happened to us in our past that we drag along in our daily lives. We may not always have a conscious awake thought about them, but sometimes the right trigger will come along and we can be reminded of something that was said or done to us that offended us in some way. At these times if we allow, that old resentment or grudge will come alive and be just as powerful and destructive a force as it was in the past when it was new a fresh. I often have to remind myself that that old feeling or resentment has already been dealt with and forgiveness has been applied. Just because some thorn comes along and pricks a spot where there once was a wound, it doesn’t mean that I have to bleed all over again. I am so thankful for the principle learned in forgiving. Not only are those who are forgiven being healed, but the forgiver is also healed. I learned this principle by believing in the finished work of the Cross, the words of Jesus, and applying them to my life. May I continue to remind myself that I cannot change the past, but I can do something about how I feel and how I react to these feelings. I can use the most creative power I have, the power to change me. Today God is doing something for me that I could not do for myself. Thanks for letting me share….…JRE
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-10 NKJV
********************
FREE OF STRESS
“Trust in Him always, O people; pour your heart out before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Psalm 62:8
You and I could name things, specific things that we’ve gone through in the last several years that make no logical sense whatsoever….but that’s okay. We can’t figure them out. But let me assure you, God is at work doing His mysterious plan (mysterious to us), which defies human logic. So quit trying to make it humanly logical. Trust Him…
Do you realize what a peaceful life you can live if you decide to live like this? Do you realize how relaxed you can be, how free of stress? Honestly. It’s so helpful for me to remind myself: He is the One who is unfathomable. He is unsearchable. I’m neither.
CHARLES SWINDOLL……….the Mystery of God’s Will
********************
“Waiting for someone to repent before we forgive is to surrender our future to the person who wronged us.” Author unknown
creative power
Thought for the day: “Forgiveness……..The most creative power given to the human spirit is the power to heal the wounds of a past it cannot change.” author unknown
This statement is just totally awesome. This morning as I ponder what it says, I am taken back by the power we have as creative individuals to heal ourselves. To be able to “heal the wounds of a past we cannot change.” I can’t change the past, but I can sure change the way I feel about it, and how it affects my life today. That, is creative power! We all have things that have happened to us in our past that we drag along in our daily lives. We may not always have a conscious awake thought about them, but sometimes the right trigger will come along and we can be reminded of something that was said or done to us that offended us in some way. At these times if we allow, that old resentment or grudge will come alive and be just as powerful and destructive a force as it was in the past when it was new a fresh. I often have to remind myself that that old feeling or resentment has already been dealt with and forgiveness has been applied. Just because some thorn comes along and pricks a spot where there once was a wound, it doesn’t mean that I have to bleed all over again. I am so thankful for the principle learned in forgiving. Not only are those who are forgiven being healed, but the forgiver is also healed. I learned this principle by believing in the finished work of the Cross, the words of Jesus, and applying them to my life. May I continue to remind myself that I cannot change the past, but I can do something about how I feel and how I react to these feelings. I can use the most creative power I have, the power to change me. Today God is doing something for me that I could not do for myself. Thanks for letting me share….…JRE
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-10 NKJV
********************
FREE OF STRESS
“Trust in Him always, O people; pour your heart out before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Psalm 62:8
You and I could name things, specific things that we’ve gone through in the last several years that make no logical sense whatsoever….but that’s okay. We can’t figure them out. But let me assure you, God is at work doing His mysterious plan (mysterious to us), which defies human logic. So quit trying to make it humanly logical. Trust Him…
Do you realize what a peaceful life you can live if you decide to live like this? Do you realize how relaxed you can be, how free of stress? Honestly. It’s so helpful for me to remind myself: He is the One who is unfathomable. He is unsearchable. I’m neither.
CHARLES SWINDOLL……….the Mystery of God’s Will
********************
“Waiting for someone to repent before we forgive is to surrender our future to the person who wronged us.” Author unknown
Monday, December 06, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Think of your own faults the first part of the night when you are awake, and of the faults of others the latter part of the night when you are asleep.”
Chinese Proverb
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angles nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us form the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV
I can’t step outside the love of God! I can’t fall beyond God’s love and grace! I know that God wants to see me restored to a living and loving relationship with Him, and believe me, I don’t want to be outside God’s love. But there was a time in my life when I though that God’s love had passed me by. There was a time when I could not see any further than my own misery and pain, and I felt all alone. How wrong I was, God’s love was there all the time keeping me from totally going insane. Even though I could not see or feel it, God had a small thread connected to me all along. It was a spiritual thread and it was small, but it was made of the stuff of God and could not be broke. It was an elastic thread and I could run and run and it would just stretch and stretch. Hiding did no good, and everywhere I went I was still connected, even though I ignored it and told myself that I was beyond the love of God. When I was finally broken hearted and tired of running my own way, having no where else to turn I got a hold of what I thought was this small thin thread that connected me to God, and started following it back to the Light of life. As I continued to follow the small thread it became larger and stronger, it became a lifeline and I knew that it was keeping me from drowning in insanity. Today that small thread has grown from thread to lifeline, from lifeline to walk way, from walk way to highway. Today by taking life one day at a time and practicing prayer and meditation, I communicate freely with God and bask in the love that is shared with me. God’s great love was there all the time but I could not experience it because my eyes were focused inward. We can’t fall beyond God’s great love, thanks for letting me share. God is still doing for me what I couldn’t not do for myself…………JRE
AA Step Two: Came be believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
********************
Give God the gift of a thankful heart. Try to see causes of thankfulness in your everyday life. When life seems hard and troubles crowd, then look for some reason for thankfulness. There is nearly always something you can be thankful for. The offering of thanksgiving is indeed a sweet incense going up to God throughout a busy day. Seek diligently for something to be glad and thankful about. You will acquire in time the habit of being constantly grateful to God for all His blessings. Each new day some new cause for joy and gratitude will spring to your mind and you will thank God sincerely.
HAZELDEN…………….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
********************
“Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 99
Lifeline to walkway
Thought for the day: “Think of your own faults the first part of the night when you are awake, and of the faults of others the latter part of the night when you are asleep.”
Chinese Proverb
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angles nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us form the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV
I can’t step outside the love of God! I can’t fall beyond God’s love and grace! I know that God wants to see me restored to a living and loving relationship with Him, and believe me, I don’t want to be outside God’s love. But there was a time in my life when I though that God’s love had passed me by. There was a time when I could not see any further than my own misery and pain, and I felt all alone. How wrong I was, God’s love was there all the time keeping me from totally going insane. Even though I could not see or feel it, God had a small thread connected to me all along. It was a spiritual thread and it was small, but it was made of the stuff of God and could not be broke. It was an elastic thread and I could run and run and it would just stretch and stretch. Hiding did no good, and everywhere I went I was still connected, even though I ignored it and told myself that I was beyond the love of God. When I was finally broken hearted and tired of running my own way, having no where else to turn I got a hold of what I thought was this small thin thread that connected me to God, and started following it back to the Light of life. As I continued to follow the small thread it became larger and stronger, it became a lifeline and I knew that it was keeping me from drowning in insanity. Today that small thread has grown from thread to lifeline, from lifeline to walk way, from walk way to highway. Today by taking life one day at a time and practicing prayer and meditation, I communicate freely with God and bask in the love that is shared with me. God’s great love was there all the time but I could not experience it because my eyes were focused inward. We can’t fall beyond God’s great love, thanks for letting me share. God is still doing for me what I couldn’t not do for myself…………JRE
AA Step Two: Came be believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
********************
Give God the gift of a thankful heart. Try to see causes of thankfulness in your everyday life. When life seems hard and troubles crowd, then look for some reason for thankfulness. There is nearly always something you can be thankful for. The offering of thanksgiving is indeed a sweet incense going up to God throughout a busy day. Seek diligently for something to be glad and thankful about. You will acquire in time the habit of being constantly grateful to God for all His blessings. Each new day some new cause for joy and gratitude will spring to your mind and you will thank God sincerely.
HAZELDEN…………….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
********************
“Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God.” Alcoholics Anonymous page 99
Friday, December 03, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” PROVERBS 21:21 NIV
I cannot pursue righteousness and love without pursuing God. Oh, I can pursue self-righteousness, and other feelings that I’m not sure about but I head up under the category of love. The prophet Isaiah said “our righteous acts are as filthy rags.” So how do I pursue righteousness? Only by being forgiven by God do I become righteous, and then it is not of my own doing but a gift of God. This thing called righteousness is really very hard to explain in simple terms, but it is simple to find. All it takes is an instant of faith and the belief that what Jesus did when He went to the Cross was real. I like the way the apostle Paul writes of righteousness, share this with me:
“We are therefore ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:20-21)
God sees me as righteous but it is only through the Blood of Jesus. It is not because of anything I have or can do, it is a matter of faith, of believing. This kind of righteousness is a humbling experience because it is not of what I have done, but because God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind take us away.” ISAIAH 64:6 NAS
Righteousness, love, prosperity, and honor. These look like some good qualities to pursue. If the first two bring about the last two, then righteousness and love must be the engine that pulls the train. To ride comfortably in the caboose and enjoy the trip, I must first put fuel in the locomotive by believing that what I know I know is the Truth… and the Truth the Way and the Life is Jesus………JRE
Riding in the caboose
Thought for the day: “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” PROVERBS 21:21 NIV
I cannot pursue righteousness and love without pursuing God. Oh, I can pursue self-righteousness, and other feelings that I’m not sure about but I head up under the category of love. The prophet Isaiah said “our righteous acts are as filthy rags.” So how do I pursue righteousness? Only by being forgiven by God do I become righteous, and then it is not of my own doing but a gift of God. This thing called righteousness is really very hard to explain in simple terms, but it is simple to find. All it takes is an instant of faith and the belief that what Jesus did when He went to the Cross was real. I like the way the apostle Paul writes of righteousness, share this with me:
“We are therefore ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:20-21)
God sees me as righteous but it is only through the Blood of Jesus. It is not because of anything I have or can do, it is a matter of faith, of believing. This kind of righteousness is a humbling experience because it is not of what I have done, but because God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind take us away.” ISAIAH 64:6 NAS
Righteousness, love, prosperity, and honor. These look like some good qualities to pursue. If the first two bring about the last two, then righteousness and love must be the engine that pulls the train. To ride comfortably in the caboose and enjoy the trip, I must first put fuel in the locomotive by believing that what I know I know is the Truth… and the Truth the Way and the Life is Jesus………JRE
Thursday, December 02, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” Andrew Carnegie
“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-7 NAS
Here in southern Missouri the month of November has been cloudy and wet. We have had many days of rain and not a whole lot of sunshine. Well this has changed; the last couple of days have been bright and sunny. After several continuous days of rain, drizzle, and gray cloudy days, it is amazing how the bright sunshine affects people. I ride a bicycle and yesterday I rode to town, I had several people say to me, “Isn’t this a great day to be riding your bicycle?” The temperature was in the low forties and there was a 4 to 6 mph wind. It was rather cool! I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy my ride. I did very much. What I am saying is that the sunshine changed the way we all looked at the day. That is exactly what the Son Shine does in my life. It changes the way I look at each day. God has “shone in out hearts,” the knowledge of the forgiveness, and the grace, extended to us through Jesus. Every step that Jesus took from birth to the Cross, he took with us in mind so we could be free. Because I have accepted this gift from God, there is a Light of Son Shine coming from within my spiritual heart. No matter how cloudy and dim it may seem outside, inside the lights are on and somebody is home. Today I am going for another bike ride and I will truly enjoy the sunshine and more importantly the Son Shine. God is still doing for me what I can not do for myself…………..JRE
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always caring about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-10 NAS
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AN UNSELFISH ATTITUDE
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind.”
Philippians 2:3
How is it possible to pull off an unselfish attitude when we find ourselves surrounded by quite the opposite?…..Three practical ideas may help:
1. Never let selfishness or conceit be your motive. That’s right, never…….
2. Always regard others as more important than yourself. Though this is not a natural trait, it can become a habit, and what an important one!
3. Don’t limit your attention to your own personal interest, include others.
Some may try to dissuade your form what may appear to be an unbalanced, extremist position. They may tell you that anyone who adopts this sort of attitude is getting dangerously near self-flagellation and a loss of healthy self-esteem. Nonsense! The goal is that we become so interested in others and in helping them reach their highest good that we become self-forgetful in the process.
CHARLES SWINDOLL……………………Laugh Again
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“God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him.”
Alcoholics Anonymous page 71
Light of Son Shine
Thought for the day: “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” Andrew Carnegie
“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-7 NAS
Here in southern Missouri the month of November has been cloudy and wet. We have had many days of rain and not a whole lot of sunshine. Well this has changed; the last couple of days have been bright and sunny. After several continuous days of rain, drizzle, and gray cloudy days, it is amazing how the bright sunshine affects people. I ride a bicycle and yesterday I rode to town, I had several people say to me, “Isn’t this a great day to be riding your bicycle?” The temperature was in the low forties and there was a 4 to 6 mph wind. It was rather cool! I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy my ride. I did very much. What I am saying is that the sunshine changed the way we all looked at the day. That is exactly what the Son Shine does in my life. It changes the way I look at each day. God has “shone in out hearts,” the knowledge of the forgiveness, and the grace, extended to us through Jesus. Every step that Jesus took from birth to the Cross, he took with us in mind so we could be free. Because I have accepted this gift from God, there is a Light of Son Shine coming from within my spiritual heart. No matter how cloudy and dim it may seem outside, inside the lights are on and somebody is home. Today I am going for another bike ride and I will truly enjoy the sunshine and more importantly the Son Shine. God is still doing for me what I can not do for myself…………..JRE
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always caring about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-10 NAS
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AN UNSELFISH ATTITUDE
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind.”
Philippians 2:3
How is it possible to pull off an unselfish attitude when we find ourselves surrounded by quite the opposite?…..Three practical ideas may help:
1. Never let selfishness or conceit be your motive. That’s right, never…….
2. Always regard others as more important than yourself. Though this is not a natural trait, it can become a habit, and what an important one!
3. Don’t limit your attention to your own personal interest, include others.
Some may try to dissuade your form what may appear to be an unbalanced, extremist position. They may tell you that anyone who adopts this sort of attitude is getting dangerously near self-flagellation and a loss of healthy self-esteem. Nonsense! The goal is that we become so interested in others and in helping them reach their highest good that we become self-forgetful in the process.
CHARLES SWINDOLL……………………Laugh Again
********************
“God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him.”
Alcoholics Anonymous page 71
